Wondering if EV charging stations are profitable in 2025? Discover it in this guide.

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Aldona Krysiak-Adamczyk

Is running EV charging stations profitable?

If you've ever wondered about it, you're not alone. As electric vehicles become more common on the roads, a lot of business owners, landlords, and investors are starting to ask the same thing: 

how much money can you really make from owning a charging station?

This guide breaks down the real numbers behind the EV charging station profit margin: what it costs to get started in the EV market, what kind of income you can expect, and how long it might take to turn a profit. We’ll also cover the different ways EV stations make money, the role of Tesla in all this, and whether it’s worth the investment in 2025.

You’ll get clear answers to practical questions like:

Is buying a charging station a good investment?

How much does installing EV charging stations cost to start?

Can you actually make money owning a Tesla charger?

If you're thinking about getting into the EV space, or just want to know if this is a business worth considering, this article will give you the facts, not the hype.

What is the EV charging station profit margin?

Profit margins for EV charging stations vary widely depending on location, charger type, and how the station is monetized. Nonetheless, the range typically falls between 

At the low end, public Level 2 EV chargers in low-traffic areas may struggle to break even, especially when factoring in maintenance, network fees, and electricity costs. On the high end, fast-charging (DCFC) stations located near highways or in urban centers can generate solid business profits, particularly when bundled with other services such as food, retail, or advertising.

What can make your EV charging stations profitable?

: Station owners buy electricity wholesale and resell it at a retail rate, often with a 20–50% markup.

: EV chargers sitting idle make nothing. Long-term profitability hinges on usage volume.

: These peak-use penalties from utilities can significantly eat into margins if not managed carefully.

: Some of the best-performing EV charging stations earn additional income from on-site retail, ads, or fleet contracts.

Example Breakdown (per charger, monthly):

Operational costs (maintenance + network fees)

: $300–$1,200 (approx. 15–30% margin)

In short, EV charging can be a profitable business, but only if you manage your costs, find the right location, and keep chargers busy. Treat it like a real business, not a passive asset.

Is the EV charging station business profitable?

Yes, but only under the right conditions. EV charging isn't a guaranteed cash cow, and like most infrastructure businesses, success depends on usage, location, and smart cost management.

 are cheaper to install but slower to charge. They work well in workplaces or residential areas with long dwell times.

 are more expensive, but the charging speed is incomparable (minutes vs. hours), and command higher rates as a result.


EV chargers in busy commercial areas, near highways, or paired with retail often outperform those in remote or residential-only areas. The more cars flowing through, the faster you reach ROI.

Stations that combine charging with other revenue streams (retail, ads, convenience stores) can maximize profitability more easily.

Most profitable EV charging businesses report 

 for fast-charging stations, sometimes quicker with government grants or fleet deals. Level 2 stations may take longer, unless paired with a high-volume location or used to support a broader business strategy (like boosting foot traffic or tenant value).

 Passive installs in low-use areas won’t cut it. But strategic deployments in smart locations with the right 

 can turn into scalable and steady revenue streams.

Revenue streams: How does EV charging infrastructure make money?

Most people think EV stations only make money by charging for—well, charging. But in reality, there are 

, and the most profitable stations stack them.

At the heart of every EV charging station is the simple business model: buy electricity at wholesale utility rates and sell it at a markup. Depending on your location and utility agreements, margins range from 

But here’s the catch: long-term profitability hinges on volume. The more sessions per day, the more that markup matters.

Some networks charge drivers when they leave their car plugged in after it's fully charged. Station owners often get a cut of these fees, a small but passive income stream.

High-traffic chargers with digital displays can sell ad space to local businesses or brands. In some locations, this revenue can rival or even surpass charging fees.

Many charging stations are installed outside cafes, convenience stores, or malls, either owned by the station operator or in partnership. Charging time = dwell time = opportunity to sell more coffee, snacks, or services.

B2B revenue is growing fast. Delivery companies, rideshare fleets, and municipalities often pay a monthly rate for priority access, maintenance guarantees, or volume pricing.

Some operators offer their stations as a managed service. Landlords or businesses pay a flat fee to have stations installed, while the provider keeps the usage revenue.

 The most successful EV station operators think like retailers and infrastructure providers, layering multiple income streams to drive profitability.

Startup operational costs and investment analysis

Installing EV chargers isn't cheap, but it’s also not out of reach for most small business owners or real estate investors. The cost depends heavily on the type of charger, site complexity, and local incentives.

These numbers include trenching, electrical upgrades, network integration, and permitting—all the behind-the-scenes work that most first-time investors overlook.

Electricity costs: $300–$1,000 per charger

Insurance: Varies by provider and location

Government incentives can cut costs in half

Federal, state, and utility rebates can cover 

 of installation costs, particularly for DC fast chargers in underserved areas or along key transit corridors.

: 3–5 years payback (if well-located and consistently used)

: 2–3 years, especially with subsidies or fleet deals

Profit margins grow substantially once CapEx is recouped

: This is a long-game investment, not a quick flip. But for landlords, developers, or forward-looking entrepreneurs, EV charging can be a strong infrastructure play, especially when paired with existing foot traffic or real estate.

Can you make money owning a Tesla charging station?

Tesla has one of the most recognized charging networks in the world, but that doesn’t mean just anyone can set one up and profit from it. There are two main routes to “owning” Tesla charging infrastructure, and they operate very differently from standard EV charging business models.

Option 1: Tesla Destination Charging Partner

Tesla’s Destination Charging Program lets hotels, restaurants, and property owners install Level 2 Tesla Wall Connectors on their premises, but it’s 

: Most of these chargers are free for Tesla drivers to use.

: You can’t charge per kWh or by session.

 These stations are meant to attract Tesla owners to your location, not generate revenue.

Option 2: Tesla Supercharger partnerships

Tesla has begun opening its Supercharger network to other EV brands and third-party site owners. This is where things start to get interesting:

Tesla covers the hardware (in many cases)

Site hosts provide the space and pay for utility upgrades

Revenue sharing depends on location and deal terms, not yet widely disclosed

can you make money owning a Tesla charging station?

 Only if you’re part of a Supercharger partner site, and even then, profitability depends on Tesla’s control, traffic volume, and contractual terms.

If you want full control over pricing, user access, and profit strategy, 

 give you more flexibility and ownership upside.

So, how much does an EV charging station actually make in a year? It all depends on charger type, utilization rate, electricity pricing, and location. But here’s a general breakdown to help set realistic expectations.

Level 2 DC chargers (Moderate traffic, urban setting)

: Typically $1,000–$5,000/year, after costs

These are ideal for residential buildings, offices, or retail centers where EV owners stay parked for a few hours.

DC fast chargers (High-traffic, highway, or commercial zone)

: $10,000–$40,000/year, depending on demand and demand charges

Fast chargers dominate in areas with short dwell times, high turnover, or 

Profitability scales with usage. An EV charger that sees only 1–2 sessions/day might never break even. But once you hit consistent 30–50% utilization, margins grow steadily.

anywhere from a few thousand to over $40,000 per year

, but only if it’s placed well, maintained efficiently, and marketed to attract regular use.

Wondering if EV charging stations are profitable in 2025? Discover real profit margins, ROI examples, costs, and revenue tips in this Solidstudio expert guide.

EV Charging Station Profit Margin: How Much Can You Earn in 2025?

Learn what roaming hubs are, and how they simplify EV charging across networks.

Being an eMobility leader in various projects across multiple startups, Piotr was responsible for OCPI and OCPP integration as well as EMP and CPO platforms development. With extensive expertise in the open standards field and eMobility tech solutions, he is leading teams of experienced developers and contributing with invaluable knowledge and experience.

Piotr Majcher

If you’ve ever driven your electric vehicle beyond your home network, maybe on a weekend trip or across the border, you’ve probably noticed how charging can suddenly become complicated. One app works at home, but not abroad. One charging station needs a different RFID card. It’s not always seamless.

Roaming hubs help simplify this messy experience by connecting charging networks behind the scenes. They make it possible for EV drivers to plug in and charge without needing a new app or contract for every provider. And for businesses in the 

, they reduce the technical and commercial hassle of managing dozens of separate roaming agreements.

In this article, we’ll break down what roaming hubs are, how they work, and why they’re becoming essential for a more connected, user-friendly EV charging experience.

to dive deeper into the technical and strategic side of eRoaming.

A roaming hub is a digital platform that connects different 

, making it easier for them to communicate and share access with one another.

Instead of building and maintaining one-to-one (bilateral) connections between every 

, a roaming hub acts as a central connector where multiple players plug in once and automatically become interoperable with others on the network.

 connects to a roaming hub → they become accessible to many eMSPs.

 connects to the same hub → their users can access a wide network of charging stations.

This setup drastically reduces the effort and cost of creating separate agreements with every partner. It also accelerates market growth by enabling broader access and smoother user experiences.

What are the key functions of a roaming hub?

It facilitates the authentication and authorization of EV drivers

It handles charging session data exchange (start/stop times, energy consumed, location, etc.)

It supports billing and settlement between networks

It’s often built on standard protocols like 

How roaming hubs fit into the eRoaming ecosystem

To understand the role of roaming hubs, it's helpful to zoom out and look at the bigger picture: the eRoaming ecosystem.

 lets EV drivers use charging stations from different networks without signing up for a new app or contract each time. It allows drivers to charge across countries and providers as if everything were part of one big network.

In short, it makes charging your EV on the go, especially across borders, 

There are two main ways this interoperability is achieved:

Direct agreements between two companies (e.g., CPO ↔ eMSP)

Requires custom integration for each new partner

Scales poorly as the number of partners grows

Each new connection automatically links to all others on the hub

More scalable, efficient, and easier to manage

The EV ecosystem is expanding fast, and so is the number of CPOs and eMSPs. Roaming hubs help untangle the web of partnerships by offering a scalable, interoperable foundatio

Instead of juggling dozens of integrations, businesses can focus on improving the charging experience, while the hub handles the connectivity.

Roaming hubs are a critical enabler of smoother EV charging experiences and faster market expansion. Here's how they add value to each part of the EV ecosystem:

For charge point operators: Faster market reach

 By connecting to a roaming hub, CPOs make their stations available to dozens (or hundreds) of eMSPs at once.

 No need to build and maintain one-to-one connections.

 Hubs often standardize session data and settlements.

 A small regional CPO plugs into a roaming hub and instantly becomes visible to international drivers using major 

For eMobility service providers: Competitive advantage

 Offer customers access to more chargers without building new partnerships one by one.

 Less friction = more charging confidence = stronger user retention.

 Launch in new markets without the need for local agreements in place first.

 An eMSP can expand its app’s coverage overnight by connecting to a hub already populated with hundreds of CPOs.

 No need to juggle multiple accounts or RFID cards.

 Roaming hubs make it easier to charge across different countries and networks.

 Better network reach means fewer dead zones and more confidence on the road.

 A driver from Germany using one eMSP app can charge in France or the Netherlands through a roaming hub connection, without switching providers.

 Common protocols and standards reduce technical friction.

While roaming hubs offer major advantages in scalability and convenience, they’re not without their technical, commercial, and operational hurdles. Understanding these challenges is key to making informed decisions about joining or integrating with a hub.

1. Protocol compatibility and technical complexity

Most roaming hubs rely on standard communication protocols, like 

Not all CPOs and eMSPs are using the same protocol versions.

Custom implementations can lead to compatibility issues

Initial integration can require heavy technical effort, especially for companies with legacy systems.

Choosing a hub that supports open, well-documented, and actively maintained protocols reduces the long-term burden.

Roaming hubs depend on clean, consistent, and real-time data to deliver a seamless experience. However:

Incorrect location or pricing data can frustrate drivers.

Session start/stop errors create billing disputes.

🚨Poor data leads to broken user experiences even when the underlying network is strong.

3. Commercial agreements and transparency

Each roaming hub operates with its own business model. Key pain points include:

Lack of pricing transparency for charging sessions.

Limited control over how stations are listed or prioritized in partner apps.

🚨Evaluate not just the technical features of a hub, but also its commercial model and how it aligns with your business goals.

4. Vendor lock-in and limited flexibility

Some hubs operate with closed ecosystems or require long-term commercial commitments.

Switching hubs can be difficult once deeply integrated.

It may be hard to interconnect with networks 

🚨Make sure the hub you choose doesn’t limit your future interoperability or strategic growth options.

5. Fragmentation in the roaming landscape

Despite their promise of unification, the roaming hub space itself is fragmented. With multiple major hubs (e.g., 

, Gireve, e-clearing.net), businesses often have to:

Connect to multiple hubs to achieve full coverage

🚨Some companies use hub-to-hub interconnections to extend reach, but this introduces new layers of complexity.

Understanding these trade-offs helps you weigh scalability against control and reliability, and prepare for smoother integrations.

Types of roaming hubs: What’s out there and how they differ

Not all roaming hubs are built the same. Depending on their structure, business model, and level of openness, the experience and value can vary significantly for CPOs, eMSPs, and even end users.

Here’s how to navigate the key categories:

Operated by independent entities with no direct stake in charging or mobility services.

Aim to create a level playing field for all market participants.

Focus on transparency, interoperability, and open standards.

 – non-profit foundation, protocol-agnostic, governance-driven.

Operated by for-profit companies, sometimes backed by major automotive or energy players.

May offer premium services, tighter integrations, or bundled offerings with their platforms.

Learn what roaming hubs are, how they simplify EV charging across networks, and how Solidstudio helps CPOs & eMSPs integrate with them.

A Practical Guide to Roaming Hubs in EV Charging Networks

Check out the new series of articles about the software migration in the EV charging business.

After founding Solidstudio, Pawel was an originator in terms of pursuing expertise in eMobility. With the build-up of a solid knowledge-base on industry’s needs & wants, he now keeps a close eye on products’ development. He’s also hugely responsible for the business’ side and designs the business models for our products.

Paweł Małkowiak

For those interested in the topic of software migration (both Charge Point Operators and eMobility Service Providers), we have published a comprehensive ebook combining all the knowledge, including the business and strategic aspects. 

Platform Migration for EV Charging Businesses

, this installment shifts focus from the 

In previous articles, we explored the strategic reasons behind software migration and what to consider when switching platforms. Now, we’ll guide you through the 

practical steps involved in migrating charging networks

From evaluating new software to planning the migration method and testing for OCPP compliance, this post outlines a complete process. Plus, you’ll find a 

free downloadable OCPP Acceptance Testing checklist

 to help ensure your chargers integrate smoothly with the new system.

1. Assess and evaluate the new EV charging software

Before migrating, it’s crucial to thoroughly assess whether the new software meets the technical and operational needs of your charging network.

Ensure it supports your current setup and offers enhanced features or scalability. Focus on compatibility with your specific station models, network requirements, and 

This early evaluation helps reduce risks, avoid future rework, and gain a competitive edge by selecting the most robust and future-ready platform.

2. Confirm charger compatibility and integration via OCPP testing

Make sure the new software fully supports every charging station in your network. This is critical for avoiding service disruptions post-migration.

Conduct OCPP acceptance testing to validate that all stations communicate properly with the new backend. This step helps uncover compatibility issues early, before they impact your operations.

 (PDF) from the box on the left side of this page.

Before migrating chargers, start by aligning the structural setup of both the old and new systems. This includes:

Replicating or improving the structure in the new software ensures functional continuity and avoids disruptions.

A detailed understanding of both ecosystems will help you maintain operational stability throughout the migration process and beyond.

4. Choose the right migration method for charging stations

After defining the software structure, determine how you’ll migrate each charging station to the new system.

 that defines how it connects to the backend. Based on this setup, you’ll need to decide between:

, where configuration updates are pushed over the network

, requiring physical access to the charger

Select the most efficient method based on your infrastructure and resources. A well-planned approach minimizes service interruptions during the transition.

 remotely migrated 9,000 charge points without any downtime. Read how they did it in our case study.

If your network includes many charging stations, a 

Learn the EV charger software migration process and download a free OCPP acceptance testing checklist to ensure seamless system integration.

Let’s read our posts

How AI Secures EV Charging Networks and Prevents Fraud

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eMobility Fundamentals - the eBook

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The Ultimate Guide to EV Charging Software Migration - the ebook

A Practical Guide to Roaming Hubs in EV Charging Networks

EV Charging Platform Migration: Key Steps & Testing

How OCPI and OCHP Power Seamless EV Roaming

Why Commercial and Industrial Buildings Are Ideal for EV Charging Station Installation

How to Design an EV Charging Business Model Built for Growth

EV Charging Platform Migration Guide for CPOs